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Topic: oxygenation v.s. aeration (Read 2251 times)

I'm considering upgrading from the "splash and stir" method of getting a little oxygen into my cooled wort before pitching yeast and I wondered what this group thought about the merits of oxygenation (i.e. pure oxygen from a tank) v.s. aeration (air pumped with an aquarium pump).

My current, low tech method (splash and stir) is producing what I consider good beer. But there's always room for improvement!

Clearly oxygenation would be quicker and provide more oxygen. But it's going to cost more and require trips to a supplier (for refilled tanks of oxygen). What are you folks doing?

I got an oxygen stone that feeds from a small tank from Lowes and Home Depot - the whole setup when you factor in the tank will cost you between $40 and $60. It's pretty nice, but you need to be careful that you don't add too much O2. To be truthful...once my last tank ran out, I have not used the O2 stone for about a year...but they are really convenient, esp. for big beers.

I think 30 seconds on a normal beer, and a minute on a big beer will give you the results you need without over-oxygenating.